New Lions safety Glover Quin is seeing the real value in getting extended practice time with fellow safety Louis Delmas

SafetyLouis Delmas has been a limited participant at Detroit Lions practice this week because of a sore knee, but the fact that he's been out on the field all three days has had an impact on teammates.

It's the first time all year Delmas has practiced on consecutive days -- let alone three straight -- which means it's the first time new safety Glover Quin has gotten extended practice time next to his starting mate on Sunday.

S Glover Quin

"It's been very important," Quin said. "We've learned a lot about each other these last three days and we've communicated some things we want to get done on Sunday. Some things we see that we want to attack in a certain way.

"It's definitely been good just to get out there and see how he communicates on the field and how I communicate on the field and how we can connect and just getting more comfortable in situations like that."

The Lions are hoping that connection is a smooth one. They made Quin a major Day 1 priority in free agency with the idea of making him and Delmas a nice one-two duo in the backend of their defense.

BROYLES AHEAD OF SCHEDULE?

Receiver Ryan Broyles wasn't 100 percent back from his first ACL injury until about Week 4 last season.

"I feel like I'm ahead of the curve, for sure," said Broyles, who's coming off a second ACL injury to the other knee this year.

"But whatever the coaches think is the best for me, I'm going to go with that."

Broyles has been one step ahead of last year's pace in pretty much every way. He was a full participant in training camp Day 1, whereas last year he started camp on the physically unable to perform list.

But still, the Lions are sticking with the plan when it comes to Broyles.

"I wouldn't say easing (him in) because when he goes he goes hard," head coach Jim Schwartz said. "He has been on a program and we have had the discipline to stick with that program. The plan is to see results in that."

Whenever Broyles is back full bore, the Lions will have an interesting dynamic on their hands with Broyles and veteran Nate Burleson playing the same position in the slot.

"Obviously, we're in that situation where you're not going to see the two of them on the field at the same time very often," offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said.

"But there's going to be times when we do. We'll make the decision who is going to be available week in and week out on Sundays. Both of them have different things that they do for our offense."

SELL OUT

The Lions announced today that Sunday's game season opener vs. Minnesota has been sold out and will air live in the Metro Detroit area on Fox 2.

Several hundred tickets returned by the Minnesota Vikings from their ticket allotment are still available exclusively at Detroitlions.com/tickets or by calling 877-212-8898.

Sunday marks the Lions 22nd consecutive sellout at Ford Field and the 24th in the past 25 home games.

PRACTICE REPORT

The Lions had their full compliment of 53 players and eight practice squad players on the practice field Thursday.

The only two players who showed up on Thursday's injury report were defensive end Ziggy Ansah (concussion) and safety Louis Delmas (knee), who were both listed as limited participants.